Looking for their third win in as many games, Gedling Miners Welfare hosted Derbyshire outfit Holbrook Sports on Saturday afternoon out to maintain the pressure on the leading pack of five as the East Midlands Counties League heads into the business end of proceedings. They come into the match on the back of a domineering 3-0 win against Radcliffe Olympic last weekend whilst Holbrook, struggling of late, arrived without a league win since October. They will face Gedling in the quarter final of the league cup should they overcome Holwell Sports in their rearranged tie, to be played in the week after several previous cancellations.

The game opened up in a lively fashion and both sides shared quick chances. As early as the 3rd minute, the lively Matt Harris was left unmarked in the 18 yard box, but the striker completely miscued his effort and the danger was cleared. A minute later and Connor Croft, from range, really stung the hands of visiting ‘keeper Sam Gilbert who eventually collected at the second attempt. Whilst open, the game was also combative with each set of players in no mood of shying out of tackles through the wintery Plains Road mud.

Jack Jepson went the closest to opening the scoring after 15 minutes, but after good work by him and Ross McCaughey, his deflected effort flicked wide with Gilbert wrong footed. At the other end, Harris and Mike Fitzhugh had started well for the visitors but were restricted by the defensive stalwarts of Gedling who were solid all afternoon.

At this stage, Gedling were on top and were playing the better of the football. On the contrary, Holbrook really were wasteful when in possession and their unnerving defence, frequently hurried into clearances, were starting to feel the pressure from the dominance, and so it was no real surprise when the home side took the lead on 21 minutes. After a ball in behind the struggling Gary Drake by Charlie Roberts found Jepson, his deft ball inside found the onrushing Dwayne Brown who fired the ball home from 10 yards out via the underside of the crossbar. A fine team effort culminating in an equally impressive finish by Brown.

Only 5 minutes later and Adam Morley, again in behind Drake, could have doubled his side’s lead but his effort, from a tight angle, hit the side netting when it was arguably a better decision to square the ball to available teammates. However, all was forgotten 3 minutes later when, on the half an hour, Gedling deservedly doubled their lead. After dispossessing the unsure Jack Coulson, deep in his own half, Brown shrewdly pulled the ball back to the incoming Joe Meakin who calmly slotted his effort past the stranded Gilbert, this time via the right hand post for 2-0. Holbrook, in return, posed very little going forward as the defensive unit for Gedling were proving a tough nut to crack as they dealt with any pressure with ease as they went into the break looking good for all 3 points.

The opening exchanges of the second half belonged to Gedling as they remained the better team when in possession and were fairly untroubled for the most part. Brown may have added a third, his second, 2 minutes after the break but his effort was saved well by Gilbert after good work by Jepson and Connor Croft. Despite the dominance, Gedling’s latest chance sparked the visitors as they finally started to make a game of it seeking a way back into the affair after the hour. Without creating any clear cut chances, their spell of dominance, without troubling Gedling all afternoon, was a cause for concern. In truth, Gedling were making it difficult for themselves and may have been guilty of resting on their laurels as they set out to thwart any ideas of a comeback.

With 64 minutes played, Coulson, looking to amend his mistake earlier in the tie, couldn’t keep his header on target from a Ben Wallace on target as Holbrook continued to maintain the pressure on Gedling knowing full well that a goal would see them back in the game. However, the home side, typical of their mindset this season, defended superbly and, despite the pressure, Danny Brown in the home goal remained fairly untroubled for the most part.

15 minutes before the end and the ball was in the back of the Holbrook net for a third time, but Jepson’s effort was deemed offside as Gedling looked to seal the win which would lift them up to fourth and, 11 minutes before the final whistle, they had the best chance of doing just that when they were awarded a penalty.

After good wide play by substitute Errol Campbell his pull back from the byline found Meakin whose effort on goal was blocked by the hand of a committed Holbrook defender and referee Stuart Mallows had no hesitation in pointing to the spot to no protests from the away side. However, Jepson’s effort was saved well by Gilbert diving to his left before the ball was cleared, a reflection of the young striker’s frustrating afternoon.

The visitors, now sensing a reprieve, continued to pressure their hosts as they sought making the final ten minutes very nervous for Gedling. However, the home side, still playing their neat football into the latter stages held on for an important three points as Holbrook were unable to create any threatening chances late on as Gedling took home maximum points from a difficult game.

3 wins in 3 for Gedling and more importantly some consistency as they make a final push in the league and continue to pressure those in and around them. They look to make it 12 points from an available 12 as action returns to Plains Road next Saturday (24th February) when city neighbours Dunkirk visit Plains Road, 3pm kick off.